VCT Phaser rattle sound?
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 297
Likes: 6
From: Birmingham, AL
VCT Phaser rattle sound?
I have a bit of a question about my 2007 Ford F-150 w/ the 5.4 3V. I don't know how long it's been doing this, I just happened to notice it not long ago. Whenever I rev the truck (doesn't matter if it's in Park or Drive) in between 800-1,000 RPMs it makes a "rattle" type sound - like a "rat-tat-tat-tat" I guess is one way of putting it. It only does it when the engine is hot, it won't do it when it cools down some. The truck has 63,000 miles and I've always ran the recommended 5W-20 weight oil. Engine runs good, no power-loss or anything like that. I have posted a video on YouTube of the sound. If you want to skip my talking in the video to get to the sound, then skip to 1 minute and 40 seconds of the video. Thanks. 
2007 Ford F-150 Lariat 5.4L Triton V8 Rattling/Ticking VCT Phaser Noise? - YouTube
2007 Ford F-150 Lariat 5.4L Triton V8 Rattling/Ticking VCT Phaser Noise? - YouTube
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 463
Likes: 12
From: Arkansas
So I just found this thread with the exact same problem.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...m-phasers.html
Here's the important part:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...m-phasers.html
Here's the important part:
21574 4.6L 3V/ 5.4L 3V ENGINE TICK/RATTLE FROM VCT 800-1200 RPM - DO NOT ATTEMPT SERVICE
2009-2010 F-150 WITH 4.6L 3V, 2005-2010 F150 WITH 5.4L 3V,2005-2010 MUSTANG WITH 4,6L 3V, 2005-2010 F250, F350 WITH 5.4L3V, 2006-2010 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER WITH 4.6L 3V ENGINE, 2007-2010 SPORT TRAC WITH 4.6L 3V ENGINE, AND 2005-2011 EXPEDITIONS AND NAVIGATORS WITH 5.4L 3V ENGINES. SOME CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONCERNED WITH TICK/RATTLE NOISES FROM THE VARIABLE CAM TIMING (VCT) ON LIGHT TIP-IN ACCEL BETWEEN 800-1200 RPM. THIS CONDITION MAY BE MOST NOTICEABLE OPERATING VEHICLE IN CONFINED AREAS SUCH AS A DRIVE-THRU. THE NOISE IS ELIMINATED WHEN VCT SOLENOIDS ARE UNPLUGGED. THIS CONDITION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ENGINE. DO NOT ATTEMPT ENGINE REPAIRS TO CHANGE THIS NORMAL CONDITION. THIS CONDITION DOES NOT AFFECT PERFORMANCE OR DURABILITY OF THE ENGINE.
2009-2010 F-150 WITH 4.6L 3V, 2005-2010 F150 WITH 5.4L 3V,2005-2010 MUSTANG WITH 4,6L 3V, 2005-2010 F250, F350 WITH 5.4L3V, 2006-2010 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER WITH 4.6L 3V ENGINE, 2007-2010 SPORT TRAC WITH 4.6L 3V ENGINE, AND 2005-2011 EXPEDITIONS AND NAVIGATORS WITH 5.4L 3V ENGINES. SOME CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONCERNED WITH TICK/RATTLE NOISES FROM THE VARIABLE CAM TIMING (VCT) ON LIGHT TIP-IN ACCEL BETWEEN 800-1200 RPM. THIS CONDITION MAY BE MOST NOTICEABLE OPERATING VEHICLE IN CONFINED AREAS SUCH AS A DRIVE-THRU. THE NOISE IS ELIMINATED WHEN VCT SOLENOIDS ARE UNPLUGGED. THIS CONDITION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ENGINE. DO NOT ATTEMPT ENGINE REPAIRS TO CHANGE THIS NORMAL CONDITION. THIS CONDITION DOES NOT AFFECT PERFORMANCE OR DURABILITY OF THE ENGINE.
Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 3
From: Belleville IL
Was it abnormal when it was quiet?
Broken spark plugs, noisy VCT phasers, and rattling VCT solenoids...all normal. I love my truck but damn. My '96 1500 Chevy still purrs like a kitten (with 154K on the clock). I expected my F150 to be at least as quiet.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
From: Aurora Co
Mine does the same thing. It started at around 65K. It sounds like scheizer and it is emarassing to say the least. I personally have difficulty grasping the fact that it is normal. Why did it take 65K miles to exhibit normal behavior? It appears that something has changed for it to begin making the rattling noise at 65K.
Broken spark plugs, noisy VCT phasers, and rattling VCT solenoids...all normal. I love my truck but damn. My '96 1500 Chevy still purrs like a kitten (with 154K on the clock). I expected my F150 to be at least as quiet.
Broken spark plugs, noisy VCT phasers, and rattling VCT solenoids...all normal. I love my truck but damn. My '96 1500 Chevy still purrs like a kitten (with 154K on the clock). I expected my F150 to be at least as quiet.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 29
From: Raleigh USA
My '96 1500 Chevy still purrs like a kitten (with 154K on the clock). I expected my F150 to be at least as quiet.
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Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 3
From: Belleville IL
With all due respect, your 96 chebby has 16 valves, 16 pushrods, 1 cam, a foot long timing chain, and all that is contained in the middle of a cast iron block. The 5.4 3v has 24 valves, 24 roller rockers, 2 VCT phasers, 2 VCT solenoids, 2 4 foot long timing chains, 2 hydraulic tensioners, 4 chain guides, and all that is at the top of the engine where it is amplified by the aluminum valve covers and heads.
Look, I had a choice between the F150 and a 2006 Silverado LT. The Ford hands down was THE truck. I just wish it was still as noise free as it was when I brought it home.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
rattle
Mine does the same thing, through the guidance of some great guys on this forum I unplugged the vct sensor on top of both valve covers and started the truck, the noise went away. I plugged them back in and the noise was back. I will be installing 2 new sensors at $94 each
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 3
Mine does the same thing, through the guidance of some great guys on this forum I unplugged the vct sensor on top of both valve covers and started the truck, the noise went away. I plugged them back in and the noise was back. I will be installing 2 new sensors at $94 each
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 26,157
Likes: 4,149
From: Near Cal. Avenue
Before I would put a lot of dollars into it I would simply change oil to 5w30 and filter. See if tic cam phaser is gone. Probably one of the pins has broken off. Gaskets may be starting to blow open. some swear by the spacers that lock the cam advanced to eliminate the VCT for good. Wonder how they do at exhaust analyst time.
New User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Phasers
Watch the phasers,my 5.4 just dropped a valve at 109,000 miles,7 grand later I have a new moter! Started that ticking with no warning,took better care of the truck than I did my Wife!!Love the truck but lots of problems with the 5.4!